Prominent Palestinian academic dies from Israeli-imposed Gaza famine

A prominent Palestinian academic, writer and poet has died from severe malnutrition as a result of Israel's months-long blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Omar Harb died on Thursday after his health had deteriorated in recent weeks, local media reported.

The total number of famine-related deaths in Gaza has risen to 370, with the majority of victims comprised of children, women and the elderly. 

According to an interview with Al Jazeera published three weeks before his death, the 60-year-old academic had endured hardship and poor physical health as a result of the genocide. 

Harb also lost at least 26 members of his family, including his wife, several children and grandchildren. Five of his family's homes had been destroyed by Israeli attacks.

Before October 2023, Harb weighed nearly 120 kilograms. At the time of one of his last media appearances, the scholar weighed no more than 40kg. 

Harb looked gaunt during the interview, and expressed sorrow over the difficulties he faced - most notably the killing of his loved ones. 

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